Kids

Yikes - ya just got married AND yer gonna have a little one soon. Talk about a change in lifestyle!
I've got a couple of boys. Wouldn't trade 'em for nuthin. However, they DO require mucho time. You gotta be willing to put your life on hold - for about eighteen years or so.
We snagged a couple of bikes for the boys...one's a KV75 (we painted it Ducati red) which is a great starter bike (auto trans). Next was an XR-80. These were both garage sale specials. Can't afford anything new. Both bring back memories of my childhood. I'm also lucky in that I married a motorcycle chick - she understands the psyche. The no-fun part is the amount of cash-flow needed to keep the bikes running. Funny, I don't remember sprockets, chains, tires costing so much when I was a kid! Then you've got to put up the $$ for helmets, gloves, boots - which they quickly outgrow.
Not trying to bring you down, because like I already said - it's worth it. I wouldn't change a thing (other than maybe winning a Lotto would be sweet).
BTW - the 14 year-old is already buggin me. Hey Dad - can I ride the 80 over to my friends house? Hell no! (although we used to do that all the time when I was growing up - it's a different world now). It may sound cliche, but it is hard to let 'em ride / have fun because you're worried somehow they could hurt themselves. Kids are resilient though. They'll take a beating and come back for more! Just remember your childhood and give 'em a little slack on the leash. They learn in a hurry.
Good luck. Sounds like your heart is in the right place. Just keep thinking those happy thoughts as you're waking up 3-4 times a night with the new addition. It'll pay off big time in the end.

- Jim

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...I don't want a pickle
I just wanna ride my motor - sickle...

Get all the sleep you can in the next eight months, because you ain't gonna get much after the kiddo arrives. My son just turned 15, and he's been keeping me awake for that long.

Best advice I can give you is to not push the kid into doing something he or she doesn't want to do. If the kid shows no interest in motorcycles don't push. If he does, teach him right and start him slow. Same goes for horses, baseball, basketball, photography, camping, etc. I'm talking recreational actvities here.

Doing the dishes and keeping his own room clean are not optional. I also urge you to encourage the child to take up gardening. Our son loves plants. I haven't planted a tree or a bush, or started the lawnmower, since we bought our house 18 months ago. Teenagers are good for a few things, contrary to popular opinion. It's amazing how much work you can get out of a kid when there are dirt bikes in the garage.

Congratulations.

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"I was born yesterday, but I was up late last night."
Gary P. Nunn

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Pete:
My wife and I have a 6 year old son, but he's away at reform school, so I don't think you want my advice.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What Pete is trying to say is that he needed
sleep and the only way to get it was to send
his spicy son to reform school!


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I really should be working...

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by photobug:
...contrary to popular opinion. It's amazing how much work you can get out of a kid when there are dirt bikes in the garage...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now THAT is true wisdom!!!

Right on!




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Fear Green.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by photobug:

I haven't planted a tree or a bush, or started the lawnmower, since we bought our house 18 months ago. Teenagers are good for a few things, contrary to popular opinion. It's amazing how much work you can get out of a kid when there are dirt bikes in the garage.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

HEHE... being 16 with a license i know what you mean. bad grades can't drive, don't do homework can't drive, going to girlfreinds house in the middle of the night can't drive, don't weed mow or set up sprinklers can't drive. Hate to find out what twisted ways they can keep me from rideing when I get my bike. Oh yea those of you with 14, 15 ,and 16 year olds they're getting away with more than you think



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Kyle M. m/16 Noblesville,IN

If you're a poser and you know it, clap your hands.

"Big Dick's HARDCORE Road Racing School, where we drag more than our knees."